Sampler and sampling method for molten material

ABSTRACT

A sampler has a sample chamber for a sample forming from a molten material, at least one lower cooling body, at least one upper cooling body, at least one inner cooling body, and at least one filling part. The sample chamber is surrounded jointly at least by the lower cooling body and the inner cooling body, such that at least the sample chamber can be cooled by at least the lower and inner cooling bodies. The filling part merges into the sample chamber by a filling opening. Between a region of the outer surface of the inner cooling body and a region of the outer surface of the upper cooling body opposite the outer surface of the inner cooling body, the sampler has at least one gap for conducting at least one gas. The volume of the respective cooling bodies is larger than the volume of the gap.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a sampler having a sample chamber for a sampleforming from a molten material, preferably for a sample forming from amolten metal, in particular from molten crude iron or molten steel. Thesampler comprises at least one lower cooling body, at least one uppercooling body, at least one inner cooling body, and at least one fillingpart, preferably one filling tube, wherein the sample chamber issurrounded jointly at least by the lower cooling body and the innercooling body, preferably is surrounded directly jointly, such that atleast the sample chamber can be cooled by at least the lower and innercooling bodies, wherein the filling part connected to the sample chambermerges into the sample chamber by a filling opening, and wherein thecooling bodies each comprise an outer surface.

Moreover, the invention relates to a method for sampling from a moltenmaterial having a melting temperature of more than 600° C., inparticular a molten metal, preferably molten crude iron or molten steel,wherein the sampler is positioned at one end of a lance and/or carrierpart, preferably of a carrier tube, and is immersed into the moltenmaterial, whereby the sample chamber of the sampler subsequently getsfilled with molten material, and wherein then at least the sample ispulled out of the molten material by the sampler.

The invention also relates to a sample holder for accommodating asampler, wherein the sample holder comprises a contact part foraccommodating the sampler, and wherein at least one feed line forsupplying gas via the contact part into the sampler, at least onedischarge line for drawing off gas via the contact part from thesampler, and at least one gas line, which extends through the contactpart and is connected to the sample chamber, are arranged in the sampleholder.

The invention also relates to a device for implementing samplingprocesses in molten metals using a lance, in particular in molten steelusing a sub-lance, wherein the lance comprises a lance body.

Moreover, the invention relates to a method for sampling from a moltenmaterial having a melting temperature of more than 600° C., inparticular a molten metal, preferably molten crude iron or molten steel,wherein the sampler is positioned at one end of a lance and/or carrierpart, preferably of a carrier tube, and is immersed into the moltenmaterial, wherein a sample holder is positioned between sampler andlance and/or carrier part, whereby the sample chamber of the samplersubsequently gets filled with molten material, and wherein then at leastthe sample is pulled out of the molten material by the sampler.

According to the prior art known to date, it is feasible to take samplesout of a molten material, for example a molten metal.

For example, a measuring probe for measuring and sampling in a moltenmetal and having a measuring head arranged on a lance is known fromEuropean patent application Publication EP 2 397 834 A2, wherein themeasuring head bears at least one temperature sensor and a samplechamber, wherein the sample chamber is surrounded, at least in part, bythe measuring head and comprises a filling channel that extends throughthe measuring head. The filling tube, for example, is a quartz glasstube.

A sampler, in which the sample is generated by immersion into a bath ofmolten material is known from U.S. Pat. No. 3,646,816. In this context,sample chambers differing in shape are used to generate first a flatsample and second a needle-shaped sample, wherein an aluminum tube isused to prevent deoxidation in the entry region of the molten materialentry tube. Openings are used to release the compressed air generatedduring taking the sample from the sampler. Metal discs are used in theregion of the sample chambers to cool down the samples.

Moreover, German published patent application DE 32 00 010 A1 disclosesthe use of a lance for removal of metallic immersed samples for spectralanalysis, wherein the end section of the lance that is immersed into themolten metal comprises an immersion ingot mold having a closed entrychannel, wherein the immersion ingot mold is arranged in a protectivegas atmosphere and the quantity of sample ascending through the fillingchannel compresses and/or displaces the protective gas. In this context,the lance comprises, in one embodiment, an overpressure valve and, inone embodiment, a valve for rinsing the immersion ingot mold with inertgas and for closing it in a gas-tight manner.

Moreover, it is known from German published patent application DE 102011 121 183 A1 to use, in a sampler, a cooling body made of copper thatconducts heat well, such that rapid dissipation of heat from the samplethat flowed into the cooling chamber proceeds such that the same istherefore cooled down rapidly, wherein the cooling body consists of twobodies that form the inner wall of the sample chamber arrangement.Moreover, it is also known from this document that the sample issurrounded by an inert gas at the time it is removed from the samplechamber.

One disadvantage of the prior art as known to date is that the moltenmaterial taken up into the sample chamber, which later forms the sample,cools down only very slowly in the sample chamber. Subsequentmeasurements on the cooled down sample can be made only after a longtime interval to the true composition of the molten material, since thecool-down time is very long. Moreover, for example, oxidation reactionsoccur on the not yet cooled down sample due to the presence of ambientair, if the sample is removed from the sampler while it is still hot.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the invention to devise a way in which thedisadvantages described above can be reduced or overcome. Specifically,a way is to be devised for rapid and easy cooling of a sample taken upinto a sample chamber, such that the solid sample arising during thecooling process can be removed from the molten material only a shorttime after taking up the molten material. Moreover, the sample should beprevented from reacting, for example with ambient air, by the coolingprocess being rapid.

It is another object of the invention to devise a way of filling thesample chamber with a molten material using simple technology andinexpensive means.

It is another object of the invention to create a method for samplingfrom a molten material, by which the sample formed from the moltenmaterial can be cooled down in a technologically easy manner andrapidly, for example for analysis thereof.

It is another object of the invention to create a method for samplingfrom a molten material by which the sample chamber can be filledrapidly.

The first object of the invention specified above is met in that thesampler comprises, between a region of the outer surface of the innercooling body and the region of the outer surface of the upper coolingbody opposite the outer surface of the inner cooling body, at least onegap for conducting at least one gas, preferably one inert gas, inparticular argon or nitrogen, and in that the volume of the respectivecooling body is larger than the volume of the gap, preferably by a ratioof at least 3:1, in particular at least 5:1, preferably at least 10:1,in particular at least 20:1, such that the sampler has better coolingperformance.

The subsequent object is met in that the sampler has a switch arrangedin it, which is connected to the feed line and the discharge line on theone hand and to the gas line on the other hand, and can be used toconnect either the feed line or the discharge line to the gas line.

The object is also met in that a sample holder, as described below, canbe connected to one end of the lance body and can have a sampler, asdescribed below, connected to it, wherein the device comprises at leastone feed line for supplying gas through the contact part into thesampler, at least one discharge line for drawing off gas through thecontact part out of the sampler, and at least one gas line that extendsin the sampler and is connected to the sample chamber.

The further object with respect to the method according to thefirst-mentioned invention is met in that at least one gas, preferably aninert gas, in particular argon or nitrogen, is supplied into the samplerbefore immersing it, whereby the gas flows out again from the samplerthrough at least one filling part, preferably a filling tube, and thesampler is subsequently immersed into the molten material, then thesupply of gas is changed, in particular is interrupted or reversed inthe direction of flow, followed by the sample chamber filling up withmolten material, then gas being supplied again during or after thesample chamber fills with molten material, such that at least the samplechamber is cooled by the supplied gas.

The object with respect to the method for sampling according to thelast-mentioned invention above is met in that at least one gas,preferably an inert gas, in particular argon or nitrogen, is suppliedinto the sampler, before immersing it, through at least one feed lineand at least one gas line, whereby the gas flows out again from thesampler through at least one filling part, preferably a filling tube,and the sampler is subsequently immersed into the molten material. Then,the supply of gas is changed, in particular is interrupted or reversedin the direction of flow, by switching a switch in the sample holderfrom a position A to a position B, followed by the sample chamberfilling up with molten material. Then, gas is supplied into the sampleragain during or after the sample chamber fills with molten material byswitching the switch from position B to position C, and at least thesample chamber is cooled by the supplied gas.

Moreover, the invention relates to a device for implementing samplingprocesses in molten metals using a lance, in particular in molten steelsusing a sub-lance, wherein the lance comprises a lance body,characterized in that a sample holder according to the invention can bearranged on one end of the lance body by a contact part foraccommodating a sampler according to the invention. The device comprisesat least one feed line for supplying gas through the contact part intothe sampler, at least one discharge line for drawing off gas through thecontact part out of the sampler, and at least one gas line that extendsthrough the contact part and is connected to the sample chamber, whereinthe switch is arranged in the lance body rather than in the sampleholder.

Last, the invention relates to a device for producing a sample holderaccording to the invention, characterized in that the device comprisessuitable means for producing the sample holder.

Moreover, the invention relates to a method for producing a sampleholder according to the invention by a device according to the precedingembodiment.

In the scope of the invention, a change comprises the reduction, theswitching off or the reversal. Reversal of the supply, i.e. reversingthe direction of flow, generates a negative pressure in the sampler andthus in the sample chamber as well. The three states of change can justas well occur consecutively in combination.

It is feasible by the sampler according to the invention to cool down asample formed from a molten material by the cooling bodies in atechnologically easy and rapid manner to a temperature at which thesample can be removed from the sample chamber or, alternatively, can beused further in the sampler. Taking it out in terms of removing it canproceed by dropping or manipulating the sampler appropriately such thatthe sample is released upon destruction of the sampler. Moreover, thesampler enables cost-efficient cooling of the sample forming from themolten material.

The method according to the invention for sampling from a moltenmaterial can also be used to easily, inexpensively and rapidly cool asample by the gas being re-supplied to the sampler. A cooled sample nolonger reacts, for example, with ambient air or, alternatively, anyreaction or change of the sample that does proceed is reduced by thecooling. Moreover, it is feasible, advantageously, that the sampler doesnot need any preparation for analysis of the solidified sample due toits dimension and the use of an inert gas, for example argon, in thesampler. Accordingly, no additional production machinery, such as amilling machine or polishing machine, is required at the factorybuilding for processing of the removed sample. This has to be consideredto be a particular advantage.

Moreover, it is feasible according to the invention to reduce orminimize the expenditure of time. There is neither a separate laboratoryrequired, in which the sample is analyzed with possible prioritizationissues, nor the use of a pneumatic shipping system or a conveyor beltwith attendant restrictions related to the use of the submission, sincethe sample can be analyzed directly on site using an analytical unit,for example next to the converter and the unit of the lance used in thefactory building. This also has to be considered to be anotherparticular advantage.

The sample holder according to the invention can also render it feasibleto fill the sample chamber of the sampler with molten material in aneasy, inexpensive and rapid manner. Moreover, it is feasible,advantageously, that the sampler according to the invention has a simpleand inexpensive design. Moreover, the sampler according to the inventioncan be integrated easily into existing devices for sampling.

The filling part connected to the sample chamber, through which themolten material flows from the bath of molten material into the samplechamber, is provided, for example, from a quartz glass, a ceramicmaterial or the like.

The lower, upper and/or inner cooling body is advantageously designed tobe of metal or a metal alloy, for example a steel alloy, whichpreferably has a higher melting point than the molten material formingthe later sample in the sample chamber.

Moreover, alternatively or in addition, the cooling body can be coated.This allows, for example, an oxidation and/or a micro-structural changeof the sample while the sample is cooling to be prevented, wherein therespective outside of the sample preferably is situated adjacent to thecorresponding coated cooling body.

According to another advantageous embodiment of the sampler, at leastthe lower cooling body and the inner cooling body form a wall of thesample chamber, wherein the wall is formed by a region of the respectiveouter surface of the lower cooling body and of the inner cooling body,such that a sample chamber having a hollow space is formed between lowercooling body and inner cooling body.

Since the sample is situated between the lower cooling body and theinner cooling body while it is cooling down, it is feasible according tothe invention to cool the sample in a manner that is particularly easyand rapid. This is the case, since the corresponding surface of thelower cooling body and of the inner cooling body preferably bordersdirectly on the sample, such that heat can be dissipated directly by therespective cooling body and is then conducted out of the sampler by theflowing gas.

Another advantageous embodiment of the sampler has the sampler compriseat least one connector for supplying gas, preferably of an inert gas, inparticular argon or nitrogen. The connector is also referred to ashybrid connector. The connector can be used to dissipate the heattransferred from the sample to the corresponding cooling body, inparticular the lower and the inner cooling bodies, by a gas that issupplied through the connector. It is feasible in this context to adjustthe quantity of supplied gas to the cooling effect desired in theindividual case. It is preferred to use an inert gas, in particularargon or nitrogen, such that no reaction of the sample and the suppliedgas proceeds. Another preferred object of the gas supplied through theconnector is to keep the sample chamber free from molten material untilthe molten material is taken up into the same by having gas flow out ofthe filling part of the sampler into the molten material, such that nomolten material can initially ingress into the sampler.

According to another advantageous embodiment of the sampler, at leastthe lower and the inner cooling bodies can be detached from each other.Due to this arrangement, the sample is easy to remove from the samplechamber, which preferably is formed between the lower cooling body andthe inner cooling body. According to an embodiment of the invention, thecooled down sample and the lower cooling body cannot be detached fromeach other in this context while the cooled down sample is removed.

Having the gap, it is feasible, on the one hand, to let a certain amountof gas flow into the sampler. On the other hand, it is thus feasible todissipate a major amount of heat that is generated in the sampler, forexample after the molten material is taken up into the sample chamber.The shape of the gap in this context can be any three-dimensionalgeometrical shape, for example spherical, ellipsoidal, conical,trapezoidal, and/or any combination thereof. Alternatively or inaddition, a free-form surface comprising different shapes in the gap isfeasible just as well.

According to another advantageous embodiment of the sampler, the samplercomprises at least one gas exit opening for discharge of the suppliedgas. According to the explanation provided above, it is feasible thatsupplied gas flows out of the filling part into the molten materialbefore the molten material is taken up into the sample chamber. Aftermolten material flows through the filling part into the sample chamber,the path is at least impaired or obstructed, such that gas supplied inthe same quantities as before filling the molten material into thesampler in order to cool it needs to be discharged by other routes inorder to prevent the pressure from increasing. This purpose is served bya gas exit opening, which enables a continued supply of gas for cooling,in particular after the molten material is taken up, for example throughthe gap between the cooling bodies, and then guides the gas to exit fromthe sampler without having to flow through the sample chamber.

According to another advantageous embodiment of the sampler, at leastone of the cooling bodies, preferably the upper cooling body, comprisesat least one ventilation opening. Having the ventilation opening in theregion of the cooling body is advantageous in that the amount of gasthat is supplied to the sampler and is used for cooling can be guidedthrough the ventilation opening to the gas exit opening after sampling.

According to another advantageous embodiment, the ventilation openingcan be closed by at least one closure, preferably a membrane, which canbe opened, wherein the closure opens while or after the sample chamberis being filled with the molten material. According to the explanationprovided above, the invention provides for conducting gas first throughthe cooling bodies, then through the sample chamber, and last out of thefilling part until the molten material is taken up into the samplechamber. After filling the sample chamber with molten material, the pathof flow of the gas is obstructed by the filling part either in part or,in particular, completely, such that gas required for cooling can thenbe conducted as before, through a closure, which can be opened, to exitfrom the sampler. In this context, the closure opens while or after thesample chamber is being filled with the molten material. In thiscontext, the opening can be generated by a pressure increase in that theclosure opens only from a certain pressure. Alternatively or inaddition, it is feasible that the closure is influenced by the amount ofheat of the molten material surrounding the sampler after the sampler isimmersed into the hot liquid molten material to effect a switch from thestate of the closure being closed to the closure being open.

The ventilation opening can, for example, have a round or angular shapeor any combination of both, for example a round shape with straightsegments, an ellipsoidal shape with angular segments or the like.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the diameter of theventilation opening is approx. 0.7 mm to approx. 1.3 mm, preferably 1.0mm.

According to another advantageous embodiment of the sampler, theclosure, preferably the membrane, comprises at least one plasticconnection, preferably an adhesive tape, a hot melt adhesive, a PVCplastic stopper, a closure valve having a hot melt connector made ofplastic material or the like. It is feasible that the heat of the moltenmaterial in the sample chamber melts the closure consisting of plasticmaterial and thus deforms or dissolves it, such that the closure openspartly or completely. For this purpose, supplied gas can continue toflow through the sampler according to the explanations provided above ina predetermined and/or required quantity for cooling. Alternatively orin addition, it is feasible to open the closure consisting of a plasticconnection by the influence of pressure generated by the quantity ofsupplied gas, for example by deformation of the closure.

After change of the properties of the closure, the supplied gas willthen, for example, flow out of the ventilation opening or then out ofthe gas exit opening.

According to another advantageous embodiment of the sampler, theclosure, preferably the membrane, has a pressure resistance of approx.0.5 bar to approx. 4 bar, in particular between 1.7 bar and approx. 2.3bar, preferably approx. 2.0 bar. Accordingly, it is feasible to have theclosure open only from a certain pressure. A high pressure in the regionof the closure can be generated by supplying a large amount of gas, forexample at the point in time at which particularly strong cooling isrequired.

According to another advantageous embodiment of the sampler, thetemperature resistance of the closure, preferably of the membrane, isapprox. 50° C. to approx. 90° C., preferably approx. 70° C. This ensuresthat the closure does not open yet during the passage through the slag,which usually is situated on the molten material when the sampler isimmersed. Temperature resistance being evident also leads to the closurenot opening when it is exposed to ambient air, etc. When the sampler isimmersed into the molten material, there is a time-delayed increase ofthe temperature in the region of the closure, such that a temperature ofapprox. 70° C. is established with a slight delay at the same, forexample when the sampler has already been removed from the moltenmaterial.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the closure isdesigned as a membrane that allows only a certain amount of gas to pass.In this context, the amount can be a function, for example, of pressureand/or ambient temperature about the membrane, in particular with afocus on the quantity of heat and amount of gas supplied to the sampler.

According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, thesampler comprises at least one measuring system, preferably atemperature sensor, in particular a thermocouple, for determining theposition of the sampler in the molten material. Hereby, the supply ofgas into the sampler can be controlled in each individual case.Alternatively or in addition, this enables optimal determination of thepoint in time of entry of the molten material through, for example, thefilling tube into the sample chamber. A slag cap melts at a certaintemperature (e.g. at 1,000° C.), and a gas flow in the sampler can beswitched appropriately, such that molten material flows into the samplechamber and a sample is taken.

Alternatively, it is feasible that a lance according to the inventioncomprises a measuring system, preferably an inductive measuring system,wherein the sampler is positioned on the lance, preferably is affixed tothe lance. A sample holder acting as a connection element can bearranged between the lance and the sampler. It is feasible to determinethe position of the sampler in the molten material by the inductivemeasuring system. It is thus feasible to detect and at least measure thetransition from slag to molten material, such that the gas supply can bechanged during or after detection of the transition. Accordingly, it isalso feasible to change the supply of gas into the sampler once thesampler has been immersed from the slag into the molten material. Theinductive measuring system preferably comprises a wire coil, preferablyfor measuring the induction occurring upon the transition from slag tomolten material.

According to another advantageous embodiment, the gap and the supply ofgas allow the sample formed from the molten material to be cooled downin the sample chamber to a temperature of approx. 90° C. to approx. 200°C., preferably approx. 150° C. According to explanations provided above,it is preferred to conduct the gas through a gap between thecorresponding cooling bodies, which enables rapid and easy cooling fromthe melting temperature to desired temperatures, for example 150° C. orless.

According to another advantageous embodiment, the filling part can becovered, at least by a protective cap, preferably by a protective capmade of metal. This enables particularly easy and gentle introduction ofthe sampler into the molten material, since the same is covered by theprotective cap, which melts only after entry, for example through theslag and then into the molten material. Accordingly, the filling partfor taking up the molten material into the sample chamber is exposed inthe molten material only after the protective cap melts. However,according to the invention, gas is still being conducted out of thefilling part within the molten material before the molten materialenters into the sample chamber.

According to another advantageous embodiment, the sampler can bepositioned on a lance and/or on a carrier part, preferably on a carriertube, in particular on a sample holder and a carrier tube, in particulara carrier tube made of cardboard. This enables the sampler to beintroduced into the molten material both manually and automatically. Itis thus feasible, in particular, to position the sampler anywhere in themolten material. It is also feasible hereby to reuse the lance by usinga carrier tube, which is damaged to the extent that it can no longer beused after uptake of the molten material and cooling down of the moltenmaterial in the sample chamber to form a sample.

In this context, the sample holder is protected by the carrier tube.Accordingly, the carrier tube is a disposable article that is used justonce, in particular in order to protect the multiple-use lance. It isfeasible, for example, to position a carrier tube of a certain length ona lance or a sample holder and to thus generate a certain distancebetween lance and sampler when the carrier tube takes up the sampler onits end opposite from the lance. The sample holder, which preferablyconnects the sampler and the lance, is preferably situated within thecarrier tube. The carrier tube and the sampler are introducedappropriately into the molten material, such that they are contactingthe molten material directly. In this context, the sample holder isprotected by the carrier tube. The lance is also protected from themolten material.

In this context, it is feasible according to the invention to design thecorresponding cooling body to have any of various geometries. It isfeasible, for example, to design the inner cooling body to be ofrectangular shape, square shape, disc shape, triangular shape, pyramidalshape, conical shape, spherical shape, circular shape or the like, forexample a combination of the aforementioned. Referring, in particular,to the two-dimensional geometrical shapes, such as triangle, rectangle,circle, square or the like, the inner cooling body also comprises acertain thickness such that this results in a three-dimensional designof the cooling body. According to the invention, it is particularlypreferred in this context for the shapes of the lower cooling body andof the upper cooling body to be adapted to the shape of the innercooling body, such that this results in optimal cooling by gaps formingin the region of the sample chamber and sampler.

Alternatively or in addition, it is also feasible that the shape of thelower or upper cooling body has an influence on the shaping of the innercooling body. The shape of the cooling body can be used to influence theshape of the gap (or vice versa).

The invention further provides for adapting the diameter or thedimensions of the gap according to the invention, which is particularlypreferred to extend between the upper cooling body and the inner coolingbody, to the amounts of gas needed. A gap shall be understood in thiscontext to be a two-dimensional design, for example a conical gap thatsurrounds the surface of a corresponding conical inner cooling body.Optimal cooling of the cooling bodies and thus of the sample chamber andultimately of the sampler is thus made feasible.

In the method according to the invention, it is preferred to supply thegas through the connector for the supply of gas to the sampler.Preferably, the connector is situated within the sample holder. As aresult, gas can be supplied into the sampler in an easy and inexpensivemanner. It is thus feasible, in particular, to connect various gases,which each are adapted to the molten material, to a connector of thetype. It is feasible, for example, to connect gas A to the connector formolten material A and to connect gas B or the gas mixture B′ for moltenmaterial B to the same connector.

Preferably, the gas flows through at least one gap between at least theinner cooling body and upper cooling body. According to explanationsprovided above, this facilitates optimal and rapid cooling of theinitially liquid molten material in the sample chamber in order togenerate a useful sample. Accordingly, the rapidly cooled sample can beremoved from the sample chamber without any external influences, such asoxidation reactions, acting on the sample after removal of the samplefrom the sampler.

Preferably, the gas flows only out of the filling part, before themolten material is filled in, and flows out through at least oneventilation opening while or after the molten material is filled intothe sample chamber. According to explanations provided above, it isfeasible in this context to prevent parts of molten material or slagfrom entering into the sample chamber before the molten material isactually desired to flow into the sample chamber. Moreover, the presenceof the ventilation opening prevents an overpressure from being built-upin the sampler, which would have an influence on the formation of theliquid or partly solidified sample, since any critical pressure that isgenerated is released by the gas flowing out of the ventilation opening.

Preferably, the gas flowing out of the ventilation opening is dischargedthrough at least one gas exit opening for discharging the supplied gasfrom the sampler. The gas flowing out of the ventilation opening isdischarged through the gas exit opening that is situated, for example,in the direction of the lance. Accordingly, it can be discharged fromthe sampler against the inflow direction of the gas.

Preferably, the closure, preferably the membrane, becomes permeable togas or is destroyed while or after the molten material is filled intothe sample chamber, due to the effect of the temperature of the moltenmaterial and/or the pressure of the supplied gas. It is thus feasible toregulate the gas flow flowing into the sampler appropriately, such thata certain amount of gas can be supplied.

Preferably, the gas flows out of the filling part after the protectivecap, preferably the protective cap made of metal, has melted. Accordingto explanations provided above, it is thus feasible to influence thetime at which the molten material enters into the sample chamber.

Preferably, after filling the molten material into the sample chamber,the newly supplied gas flows through the gap, and then the gaspreferably flows through the ventilation opening out of the sampler,whereby this cools down the temperature of the sample, preferably to atemperature of approx. 90° C. to approx. 200° C., in particular approx.150° C. Hereby, and referring to the explanations provided above, rapidand simple cooling of the sample chamber and thus of the molten materialor already solidified sample present therein is made feasible. At atemperature of approx. 150° C., for example, subsequent analysis ormechanical, chemical and/or electrical processing of the sample is madefeasible, either after the sample has been removed from the samplechamber or while it is still present in the sample chamber. At 150° C.the sample can be removed easily, for example, by destroying the samplerwithout having to expect further critical reactions to occur due, forexample, to ambient air.

Preferably, the sample is held by the lower cooling body. Moreover,alternatively or in addition, it is preferred that the inner coolingbody is held by the upper cooling body.

It is preferable to use a measuring system, preferably a temperaturemeasuring system, preferably a temperature sensor, in particular athermocouple, or an inductive measuring system to regulate the supply ofgas into the sampler, in particular it is preferred to change the supplyof gas for filling the molten material into the sample chamber. Usingthe measuring system, it is therefore feasible to regulate the point intime at which the molten material flows into the sampler and thus intothe sample chamber for the individual application on hand by using themeasuring system to detect a condition at which an inflow of the moltenmaterial is desired to proceed. Moreover, negative influences, such aspenetration through the slag in the direction of the molten material tobe measured, can be reduced by the measuring system or, preferably, caneven be eliminated according to the invention.

Preferably, the sample is supplied to an analytical facility while it isin the sampler. It is particularly preferred to remove the sample fromthe sampler in this context, i.e. from the sample chamber formed betweenthe inner cooling body and the lower cooling body, and to then analyzeit in a suitable device, for example in an optical emissionspectrometer. In this context, the lower cooling body remains attachedto the sample during removal of the sample in a preferred embodiment.

In an advantageous embodiment of the sample holder according to theinvention, the sample holder comprises at least one gas exit opening,wherein the discharge line ends in the gas exit opening.

In another advantageous embodiment, the sample holder comprises at leastone intermediate filter between switch and gas exit opening in thedischarge line. Preferably, the intermediate filter is designed in theform of a gas filter.

In an alternative, advantageous embodiment of the sample holder, thefeed line comprises at least one feed valve and/or the discharge linecomprises at least one Venturi nozzle.

In another advantageous embodiment, the discharge line comprises atleast one opening, preferably one opening in the region of the Venturinozzle.

In an alternative, advantageous embodiment of the sample holder, a partof the discharge line connected to the switch arranged in the sampleholder has a larger diameter than the other parts of the discharge line,forming at least one vacuum chamber that comprises at least one gassuction line for connection to at least one vacuum pump.

In an alternative, advantageous embodiment of the sample holder, a partof the discharge line connected to the switch arranged in the sampleholder merges into a hollow internal space of the sample holder, whereinthe internal space comprises a gas-tight wall with at least one gassuction line for connection to at least one vacuum pump.

In another advantageous embodiment, the vacuum chamber has a volume from0.1 1 to approx. 0.5 1,preferably approx. 0.3 1.

In another advantageous embodiment, the sample holder and the contactpart each have a cross-section with an axially symmetricalcircumference, in particular a circular circumference.

In a preferred embodiment of the sample holders according to theinvention, at least one gas filter is arranged between the gas lineconnected to the sample chamber and the switch.

In a preferred embodiment of the sample holders according to theinvention, the sample holder comprises at least one hybrid contact part,and the sampler comprises at least one hybrid connector. The contactpart is also referred to as a contact block.

Preferably, the hybrid contact part is made of a metallic material andthe hybrid connector is preferably made of plastic material. Due to theproperties of the hybrid contact part and the, preferably corresponding,hybrid connector, electrical signals as well as pneumatic signals can beconducted simultaneously or with a time delay by the respective hybridcomponent, i.e. a dual, i.e. a hybrid, function is feasible. The hybridcontact part can comprise, in addition, a hybrid unit through which theat least one gas line and at least one cable are guided.

In the device for implementing sampling processes, a preferredembodiment of the sample holder has a length measured in axialdirection, from the end of the contact part to the opposite side of thesample holder and the switch is arranged at a distance of at most 0.3×length, in particular 0.1× length, from the end of the contact part.

In the corresponding device according to the invention for implementingsampling processes, in a preferred embodiment, sampler and sample holdercan be connected by a carrier part, preferably a carrier tube, inparticular a carrier tube made of cardboard. In this context, thesampler itself can just as well be connected to the sample holder.

In a variant of the method according to the invention for sampling froma molten material, with the switch being in position B, at least anamount of gas that is present at least in the sample chamber and thefilling part flows by the sample holder according to the invention inthe direction of the sample holder due to the supply of gas in the feedline being interrupted by the switch.

In a further, alternative embodiment of the method, with the switchbeing in position B, it is preferred that at least an amount of gas thatis present at least in the sample chamber and the filling part is drawnin by the sample holder according to the invention in the direction ofthe sample holder due to the gas already supplied being reversed indirection by the Venturi nozzle, such that the supplied gas is drawnoff.

In a further, alternative embodiment of the method, with the switchbeing in position B, at least an amount of gas that is present at leastin the sample chamber and the filling part is drawn in by the sampleholder according to the invention in the direction of the sample holderby the gas already supplied being reversed in direction by the negativepressure in the vacuum chamber, such that the supplied gas is drawn off.

In a further, alternative embodiment of the method, with the switchbeing in position B, it is preferred that at least an amount of gaspresent at least in the sample chamber and the filling part is drawn inby the sample holder according to the invention in the direction of thesample holder by the gas already supplied being reversed in direction bythe negative pressure in the vacuum chamber, such that the supplied gasis drawn off.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description ofthe invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction withthe appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention,there are shown in the drawings embodiments which are presentlypreferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is notlimited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In thedrawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic, longitudinal sectional view of a sampleraccording to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a similar view of an alternative embodiment of a sampleraccording to the invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic, longitudinal sectional view of a particularlypreferred embodiment of a sample holder according to the invention;

FIG. 4 is a similar view of an alternative embodiment of a sample holderaccording to the invention; and

FIG. 5 is a similar view of another alternative embodiment of a sampleholder according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a sampler 1 that had been immersed into a liquid and hotbath of molten material for the purpose of sampling.

The sampler 1 comprises a sample chamber 2. A sample 3 is shown inexemplary manner in the sample chamber 2 shown in FIG. 1 and has beenformed from a molten material, from molten steel 4 in the presentexemplary embodiment. The molten steel 4 has a temperature of above 600°C. and is shown as a detail in exemplary manner in FIG. 1.

The sampler 1 further comprises a filling tube 5 that comprises afilling opening 5 a and a through-going hole. The filling tube 5consists of quartz glass in the present exemplary embodiment. At the endfacing the sampler, the filling tube 5 merges into the sample chamber 2and is connected to the sample chamber 2.

According to FIG. 1, the sampler 1 comprises three cooling bodies in thepresent exemplary embodiment, namely a lower cooling body 6, an uppercooling body 8, and an inner cooling body 7. According to the presentexemplary embodiment, the sample chamber 2 is surrounded directly by thelower cooling body 6 and the inner cooling body 7. The lower coolingbody 6 and the inner cooling body 7 thus surround the sample chamber 2directly and form the inner wall of the sample chamber 2. Accordingly,the inner wall is formed by the two cooling bodies 6, 7, since theirouter surfaces form a wall of the sample chamber 2. The wall is referredto as inner wall according to the invention. Accordingly, by the innerwall, the sample chamber is considered to be a closed space into whichmolten material can flow. According to the invention, the sample chamber2 can be cooled by the cooling bodies 6, 7, 8.

According to FIG. 1, the sampler 1 comprises at least one connector 9for the supply of gas or a gas mixture into the sampler 1. The connector9 is also referred to as hybrid connector. An inert gas, for exampleargon, is supplied through the connector 9 into the sampler 1 in thepresent exemplary embodiment.

According to FIG. 1, the inner cooling body 7 is shaped like a cone,wherein the outer surfaces of the inner cooling body 7 form trapezoidalsurfaces. The upper cooling body 8 is adapted to the shape of the innercooling body, such that it forms a corresponding negative shapeaccording to FIG. 1. The inner cooling body 7 is held by the uppercooling body 8 in the context of the present exemplary embodiment. Thelower cooling body is adapted to the shape of the upper cooling body 8and of the inner cooling body 7 in appropriate manner, such that theupper cooling body and the lower cooling body 6 form a tight connectionat their contact surfaces. The contact surfaces of the lower coolingbody 6 and upper cooling body 8 have a circumferential O-ring 10situated in a groove of the lower cooling body 6 in the presentexemplary embodiment to provide for tightness, in particularpressure-and gas-tightness.

According to explanations provided above, the sample 3 is situated inthe sample chamber 2 between the inner cooling body 7 and the lowercooling body 6. According to the invention, the sample 3 is held inplace by the lower cooling body 6. According to FIG. 1, at least thelower cooling body 6 and the inner cooling body 7 can be detached fromeach other such that the sample 3 can be removed from the sampler 1.According to the present exemplary embodiment, the cooled down sample 3remains firmly connected to the lower cooling body 6 in this context,while the sample 3 is removed.

According to FIG. 1, the sampler 1 comprises, between an outer wall 7 aof the inner cooling body 7 and the outer wall 8 a of the upper coolingbody 8 situated opposite from the outer wall 7 a of the inner coolingbody 7, at least one gap 11 for the supply of the inert gas used in thepresent exemplary embodiment. Accordingly, a three-dimensional gap 11 ispresent between the two corresponding cooling bodies 7, 8.

In this context, the gap 11 extends between the two outer walls 7 a, 8a, such that a conical gap 11 is formed in the sampler 1. By the gap 11shown in FIG. 1 and by the supply of inert gas, the sample 3 formed fromthe molten steel 4 in the sample chamber 2 in the present exemplaryembodiment can be cooled to a temperature of approx. 150° C. bothrapidly and easily.

The volume of the corresponding cooling bodies 6, 7, 8 is larger thanthe volume of the gap 11 (according to FIG. 1), preferably the ratio ofthe volume of the corresponding cooling bodies 6, 7, 8 and the volume ofthe gap 11 is at least 20:1. This provides for better coolingperformance of the sampler 1 according to FIG. 1.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the sampler 1 further comprises ameasuring system, a thermocouple 12 in the present exemplary embodiment,by which the temperature and thus the position of the sampler 1 in thewarm molten steel 4 can be determined.

According to explanations provided above, the sampler 1 in the exemplaryembodiment shown in FIG. 1 has already been dipped into the molten steel4 in order to generate a sample 3 and has been removed from same aftergenerating the sample 3 in the sample chamber 2. In this context, thesample 3 is surrounded in the sample chamber 2 by the inner wallsthereof. Accordingly, the cover 13 is shown by dashed lines in theregion of the filling opening 5 a of the filling tube 5, since it hasmelted in the molten steel 4. Moreover, the protective cap 14 used inthe present exemplary embodiment is shown by dashed lines for the samereason. Both the cover 13 and the protective cap 14 have melted afterthe sampler 1 was immersed into the molten steel 4. Accordingly, thesampler 1 comprises a cover 13 and a protective cap 14 before it isimmersed into the molten steel 4.

The sampler 1 further comprises a sand body 15 through which extends thefilling tube 5 and in which the thermocouple 12 is situated. In thiscontext, the sand body 15 has a closed shape like a block of sand. Inthis context, the filling tube 5 projects from the sand body 15 at acertain distance according to FIG. 1. The thermocouple 12 is in directcontact with the molten steel 4. The temperature measurement proceeds bythe thermocouple 12 that is situated in the molten steel 4.

The upper cooling body 8 comprises a ventilation opening 16 in theexemplary embodiment according to FIG. 1. The ventilation opening 16 isclosed by a membrane 17, which can be opened, in the present exemplaryembodiment. According to FIG. 1, the membrane 17 is open for gas afterthe molten steel 4 flows into the sample chamber 2, wherein the membraneopened up at least upon the sample chamber 2 being filled with moltensteel 4 in the present exemplary embodiment. The membrane 17 accordingto the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is, for example, a hot-meltadhesive that is influenced by the heat of the molten material, suchthat the membrane 17 opens up. In the present exemplary embodiment, theventilation opening 16 has a diameter of 1 mm, wherein the ventilationopening 16 takes the shape of a round hole. In the exemplary embodimentaccording to FIG. 1, the pressure resistance of the closed membrane 17is approx. 2 bar and the temperature resistance of the membrane 17 isapprox. 70° C. in the present exemplary embodiment.

Moreover, the sampler 1 in the present exemplary embodiment comprises agas exit opening 18 for discharge of the supplied gas. With membrane 17being open, the gas supplied to the sampler 1 flows out of the sampler 1again through the gas exit opening 18.

Moreover, FIG. 1 shows a carrier tube 19 made of cardboard. The sampler1 is connected firmly to the carrier tube 19. The other region of thecarrier tube 19 is affixed to a sample holder (not shown in FIG. 1) thatis shown in exemplary manner in FIGS. 3 to 5 and is described in moredetail in the following and is thus positioned for sampling from themolten steel 4. The sample holder according to embodiments of FIGS. 3 to5 is therefore surrounded by the carrier tube 19 made of cardboard. Thesampler 1 is therefore connected to the sample holder on one side of thecorresponding sample holder.

According to FIG. 1, the three cooling bodies 6, 7, 8 are situated inthe region of the carrier tube 19 in this context. In the exemplaryembodiment according to FIG. 1, the sampler 1 is designed in particularfor a sub-lance, such that the sampler 1 is used for a sub-lance and acorresponding device. In this context, it is preferable that thesub-lance in the form of a lance is affixed in the region of theconnection of carrier tube 19 and sample holder.

A process of sampling according to the invention from the molten steel 4by the sampler 1 according to FIG. 1 is described in exemplary manner inthe following.

According to explanations provided above, the carrier tube 19 made ofcardboard situated at the end of a lance (not shown here) positions thesampler 1 according to FIG. 1 also by a sample holder that is shown inFIGS. 3 to 5. The inert gas is supplied through the connector 9 into thesampler 1 before immersing the sampler 1 into the molten steel 4. Thegas supplied through the connector 9 flows through the three-dimensionalgap 11 along the outer walls 7 a, 8 a between inner cooling body 7 andupper cooling body 8, then through the empty sample chamber 2 into thefilling tube 5, which is still closed by a cover 13 before immersioninto the molten steel 4. Moreover, according to explanations providedabove, the sampler 1 further comprises a protective cap 14 made ofmetal. Accordingly, the gas flows all the way into the filling tube 5.In this context, a pressure of maximally 2 bar is built-up in thesampler 1 in the present exemplary embodiment, such that the membrane 17remains closed. Accordingly, the gas cannot flow through the ventilationopening 16, since the membrane 17 is still closed.

Subsequently, the sampler 1 is immersed into the molten steel 4 inimmersion direction E. In this context, the sampler 1 is initiallyguided through the slag of the molten steel 4 and then into the moltensteel 4 itself in the present exemplary embodiment. The position of thesampler 1 in the molten steel 4 is not shown in FIG. 1.

Due to the heat of the molten steel 4, the protective cap 14 and alsothe cover 13 melt subsequently. Protective cap 14 and cover 13 are madeof metal. The gas supplied through the connector 9 thus flows out of thefilling tube 5 out of the sampler 1 into the molten steel 4 in thedirection of immersion direction E, upon which no molten steel 4 caningress into the filling tube 5 however. The three cooling bodies 6, 7,8 and the sample chamber 2 are situated above the sand body 15, i.e.these are arranged in the direction opposite from the immersiondirection E. Accordingly, these are protected by the carrier tube 19inside the bath of molten material, even after immersion into the moltensteel 4.

The supply of gas into the sampler 1 is regulated by the temperaturesensor in the form of the thermocouple 12, in that the temperature ismeasured by the thermocouple 12 in accordance with the explanationsprovided above. According to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1,the supply of gas in this context for subsequently filling molten steel4 into the sample chamber 2 is interrupted by effecting a change whilethe sampler 1 is in a certain position in the molten steel 4, since thetemperature of the molten steel 4 indicates the position of the sampler1 in the molten steel 4.

In the process, the sand body 15 heats up as well. Once the position inthe molten steel 4 is reached, the supply of gas is therefore changedbriefly in the present exemplary embodiment, such that the samplechamber 2 can then fill up with molten steel 4. In the present exemplaryembodiment, the supply of gas is changed in that the supply of gas isswitched off. In this context, the molten steel 4 flows through the holeof the filling tube into the sample chamber 2, whereby the molten steelenters into the hole at the filling opening 5 a.

Alternatively, it is feasible to generate a negative pressure inside thesample chamber 2 instead of switching off the supply of gas, such thatthe sample chamber 2 can fill up with molten steel 4 even more rapidly.A negative pressure can be generated, for example, by generating anegative pressure on the connector 9. Based on the design of the sampler1 described above, the molten steel will then flow into the samplechamber 2 due to the suction effect of the negative pressure.

After the sample chamber 2 fills with molten steel, the sampler 1 ispulled out of the molten steel 4 using the lance and the carrier tube19, such that the sampler 1 according to FIG. 1 is present with a filledsample chamber 2.

Due to the temperature of the molten steel 4, the membrane 17 becomesgas-permeable in the present exemplary embodiment while the molten steel4 is filled into the sample chamber 2, since the heat radiation at thetemperature of the molten steel 4 has an influence on the membrane 17 orheats the cooling bodies 6, 7, 8 to the extent that the membrane 17 isdestroyed in the process. The membrane 17, which was closed before, hasnow opened up for gas.

Accordingly, it is feasible in the exemplary embodiment according toFIG. 1 to again supply gas into the sampler 1 after filling the samplechamber 2 with molten material 4 and after pulling the sample chamber 1out of the molten steel 4, such that the sample 3 is cooled by the inertgas supplied. Accordingly, the supply of gas into the sampler 1 isswitched on again afterwards in the present exemplary embodiment.

Since the sample 3 is still present in the sampler 1 and fills thesample chamber 2 and thus closes it, the inert gas flows through theconnector 9 and then through the conical gap 11 about the inner coolingbody 7 that borders on the sample 3 on one wall side. In this context,according to FIG. 1, the gas also flows about the lower cooling body 6and the upper cooling body 8 due to the geometrical design of the gap11, such that the same is also cooled in the process. Finally, the gasthen flows out of the ventilation opening 16, such that the gas flowingout of the ventilation opening 16 is discharged through the gas exitopening 18 out of the sampler 1. It also flows through the gas-permeablemembrane 17 in the region of the ventilation opening 16 in this context.

The newly supplied gas that takes up the heat of the sampler 1 and flowsthrough the gap 11 leads to the temperature of the sample 3 being cooleddown rapidly and easily, in the present exemplary embodiment to atemperature of approx. 150° C. Moreover, the dimensions of therespective cooling bodies 6, 7, 8 and the respective size ratio ofcooling bodies 6, 7, 8 to the gap 11 lead to rapid dissipation of theheat.

At a temperature of approx. 150° C., it is easily feasible to remove thesample 3 from the sampler 1 and to pass it on, for example, to ananalytical facility in the present exemplary embodiment. The analyticalfacility is not shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 shows another, alternative exemplary embodiment of a sampler 1 a.In particular, only the differences as compared to the sampler 1 shownin FIG. 1 are described.

Identical technical components are provided with the same referencenumbers, whereas new components are provided with new reference numbers,wherein the geometrical shape of corresponding components might differbetween FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 shows a sampler la having a sample chamber 2 and a sample 3formed in the sample chamber 2 from a molten metal 4 a that is shown inexemplary manner and as a detail.

Moreover, FIG. 2 shows the lower cooling body 6, the inner cooling body7, and the upper cooling body 8 which the sampler 1 a comprises.Moreover, according to FIG. 2, the sampler 1 a comprises a connector 9for the supply of inert gas as used in the present exemplary embodiment,in particular argon or nitrogen.

Moreover, the sampler 1 a is firmly positioned on a carrier tube 19.Moreover, the sampler 1 a has a sample holder (not shown in FIG. 2)positioned on it in an embodiment according to FIGS. 3 to 5, wherein thecarrier tube 19 surrounds the sample holder. Moreover, the sampler 1 acomprises a filling tube 5 which has a hole and consists of quartz glassor ceramic material. However, according to FIG. 2, the filling tube 5does not comprise a cover.

The cooling bodies 6, 7, 8 and the sample chamber 2 and the sample 3 allare situated in a hollow sand body 15 of a different shape than in theexemplary embodiment according to FIG. 1. That is, the sand body 15according to FIG. 2 surrounds the cooling bodies 6, 7, 8 in the form ofa housing.

In this context, the filling tube 5 projects from the sand body 15 andis affixed partly with cement 20 in the region of the lead-through. Thefilling tube 5 projects somewhat from the hollow sand body 15 accordingto FIG. 2 in this context.

According to explanations provided above, the three cooling bodies 6, 7,8 are situated inside the sand body 15. The lower cooling body 6 isdesigned to be larger in volume as compared to the inner cooling body 7and the upper cooling body 8. The volume of the corresponding coolingbody 6, 7, 8 relative to the volume of the gap 11 is at least largerthan the volume of the gap 11, preferable the ratio formed is at least20:1.

The inner cooling body 7 comprises a thick, circular disc shape and isenveloped in three dimensions of space by the upper cooling body 8. Thegeometrical design allows the upper cooling body 8 to additionallyengage the lower cooling body 6 resulting in a closed connection betweenupper cooling body 8 and lower cooling body 6, in which the innercooling body 7 itself is arranged.

For sealing the upper cooling body 8 to the lower cooling body 6, anO-ring 10 is arranged in the region of the contact surface in a grooveof the lower cooling body 6. According to FIG. 2, a three-dimensionalgap 11 in the form of a three-dimensional cup is provided between theupper cooling body 8 and the inner cooling body 7. Due to the O-ringseal and the geometry of the cooling bodies 6, 7, 8, this leads to theformation of a gas-and pressure-tight arrangement.

In this context, the inner cooling body 7 comprises an outer wall 7 athat corresponds to the outer wall 8 a of the upper cooling body 8 suchthat the gap 11 is formed that surrounds the entire inner cooling bodyin three dimensions of space.

Moreover, the position of the sampler 1 a shown in FIG. 2 in the moltenmetal 4 a is determined by a measuring system in the form of aninductive measuring system (not shown here). Using the inductivemeasuring system, it is feasible to measure and thus determine theposition of the sampler 1 a in the molten metal 4 a. For this purpose,the inductive measuring system is situated in the lance, not shown here,in the present exemplary embodiment, wherein the measuring system isused to determine the position of the sampler 1 a in the molten metal 4a when same is immersed, for example fully, in the molten metal 4 a.

As described above referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 2 shows the sampler 1 aafter being pulled out of the molten metal 4 a, wherein the sample 3formed from the molten metal 4 a is present in the sample chamber 2.Accordingly, the protective cap 14, which the sampler 1 a comprises, isalso shown by dashed lines, since it had already melted in the moltenmetal 4 a. However, the sampler 1 a comprised a protective cap 14 beforeit was immersed.

It is possible that the sampler 1 a comprises a ventilation opening 16and a gas exit opening 18. Neither of these is shown in FIG. 2.

The sampler 1 a according to FIG. 2 is designed in the way of a samplerfor molten crude iron (hot metal sampler).

To produce a sample 3 in the sample chamber 2 of the sampler 1 aaccording to FIG. 2, the lance on which the carrier tube, the sampleholder, and the sampler 1 a are positioned, is introduced into themolten metal 4 a in the immersion direction E. Once they are immersed,the sample holder and carrier tube surrounding it and the sampler 1 aare situated fully in the warm bath of molten material.

Before immersion, an inert gas is supplied through the connector 9 intothe sampler 1 a according to explanations provided above. In thiscontext, the gas flows through the gap 11, then through the samplechamber 2, in which no sample 3 is present yet, and lastly through thefilling tube 5 in the direction of protective cap 14.

Once the sampler 1 a is immersed into the molten metal 4 a, theprotective cap 14 melts, such that the supplied gas flows into themolten metal 4 a. The position of the sampler 1 a in the molten metal 4a is determined by the inductive measuring system such that, accordingto the invention, the supply of gas is stopped if the position is notthe desired position.

It is also feasible, alternatively, to establish suction, due to anegative pressure, in reverse direction as compared to the flowdirection of the inert gas described above such that a negative pressureis generated in the sample chamber 2 by which the molten metal 4 a flowsthrough the filling tube 5 into the sample chamber 2 and fills the samewith molten metal 4 a in a particularly easy and rapid manner.

After filling the sample chamber 2 with molten metal 4 a, the sampler 1a is guided out of the molten metal 4 a against the direction of entry Eusing the lance.

In the present exemplary embodiment, after the sampler 1 a has beenguided out of the molten metal 4 a into the position according to FIG.2, gas is supplied again through the connector 9 and the gap 11, suchthat the sampler 1 a and the sample 3 are being cooled.

Subsequently, it is feasible to remove the solidified and cooled downsample 3 from the sampler 1 a, since the lower cooling body 6 and theinner cooling body 7 can be detached from each other. In this context,the lower cooling body 6 and the cooled down sample 3 cannot be detachedfrom each other according to the present exemplary embodiment.

Three embodiments of a sample holder are described in detail in thefollowing. In this context, the sample holder is connected to aconnector 9 of the corresponding sampler 1, 1 a. According toexplanations provided above, the sample holder is then surrounded by thecardboard tube in the form of the carrier tube 19, and the sample holderis connected to the corresponding lance on the side opposite to the sideof the sampler 1, 1 a. The cardboard tube therefore surrounds the sampleholder and borders on the lance and on the sampler 1, 1 a.

The supply of gas can be changed in order to fill the molten materialinto the sample chamber 2 by the three exemplary sample holdersaccording to FIGS. 3 to 5. These each utilize different technologies tofirst conduct gas through the connector 9 of the sampler before thefilling process and then to change the supply of gas in order to fillthe sample chamber 2. This is described in detail in the following.

FIG. 3 shows a sample holder 21 a for preferred accommodation of asampler 1 that is shown in FIG. 1. For details of the design of thesampler 1 according to FIG. 1, please refer to the explanations providedabove.

The sample holder 21 a comprises a contact block 22 as a hybridcomponent for accommodating the sampler 1. According to FIG. 3, thecontact block 22 is arranged on one end of the sample holder 21 a. Thecontact block 22 corresponds to the hybrid connector, which is alsoreferred to as connector 9 of the sampler 1, such that contact block 22and hybrid connector can engage each other. An accommodation device 23is arranged on the opposite side of the sample holder 21 a and comprisesa thread in the present exemplary embodiment.

Moreover, multiple gas lines are arranged in the sample holder 21 a. Inthe exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 3, the sample holder 21 acomprises a feed line 24 a, a discharge line 24 b, and a gas line 24 c.In this context, the gas line 24 c is also situated in contact block 22.It is feasible to supply gas through the feed line 24 a via the contactblock 22 into the sampler 1 (not shown in FIG. 3). In this context,connector 9 is used for supplying the gas. According to FIG. 3, the gasline 24 c extends through the contact block 22 and is thereforeconnected to the sample chamber 2 (not shown in FIG. 3), when sampler 1and sample holder 21 a are connected to each other. Moreover, it isfeasible, by discharge line 24 b, to discharge gas via the contact block22 out of the sampler 1 (not shown here). Furthermore, there is a gasconnection 25 b connected to feed line 24 a present in the region of theone end of the sample holder 21 a, i.e., according to FIG. 3, in theregion of the accommodation device 23. According to FIG. 3, the gasconnection 25 b is connected to a gas feed line 25 a.

Moreover, according to FIG. 3, the sample holder 21 a comprises a switch26, which is arranged in the sample holder 21 a and is connected, on oneside, to the feed line 24 a and the discharge line 24 b and, on theother side, to the gas line 24 c. The change of the state of the switch26 is implemented by the switching cable 27 a, wherein a switching cableconnection 27 b to which a cable for switching can be connected isarranged on the end of the switching cable 27 a in the region of theaccommodation device 23 of the sample holder 21 a. Moreover, the sampleholder 21 a comprises, in the region of the contact block 22, measuringcontacts 28 that are arranged in the region of the contact block 22.

The measuring contacts 28 are connected by a signal cable 29 a whose endis situated in the region of the accommodation device 23 whose end has asignal cable connector 29 b arranged on it. Six measuring contacts 28are arranged in series in the present exemplary embodiment according toFIG. 3.

Moreover, a seal 30 is arranged in the region of the contact block 22such that a gas-tight connection between the sample holder 21 a and thesampler 1 (not shown here) is feasible when the two components areconnected. Accordingly, a gas-tight connection is established betweenconnector 9 according to FIG. 1 and the contact block 22. According toFIG. 3, the contact block 22 further comprises a gas socket 31 throughwhich the gas can flow in order to flow through the gas line 24 c.

According to FIG. 3, the discharge line 24 b is guided through a gasexit opening 33 to exit from the sample holder 21 a. A gas filter 32 ais arranged between the gas exit opening 33 and the switch 26 in thepresent exemplary embodiment. Another gas filter 32 b is arranged in theregion of the gas line 24 c.

Moreover, the sample holder 21 a comprises a hybrid unit 34 that isarranged between switch 26 and gas socket 31, whereby the hybrid unit 34allows the gas line 24 c and the signal line 29 a to be connecteddirectly and fixedly to the sampler 1 (not shown here). According toexplanations provided above, the contact block 22 is plugged into theconnector 9 in fitting and gas-tight manner for this purpose.

Accordingly, it is characteristic of the sample holder 21 a shown inFIG. 3 that the sample holder 21 a comprises the gas exit opening 33,whereby the discharge line 24 b of the sample holder 21 a ends in thegas exit opening 33. In this context, the gas filter 32 a, in the formof an intermediate filter, is arranged between switch 26 and gas exitopening 33 of the discharge line 24 b. According to FIG. 3, the sampleholder 21 a and the contact block 22 each have a cross-section with acircular circumference.

FIG. 4 shows an alternative embodiment of a sample holder 21 b, wherebyidentical components are provided with the same reference numbers andnew components are provided with new reference numbers in the following.

In the following, the description of FIG. 4 first describes the changesas compared to the sample holder 21 a shown in FIG. 3. The sample holder21 b shown in FIG. 4 comprises no gas exit opening 33 and no gas filter32 a in the form of an intermediate filter. However, the sample holder21 b comprises a feed line 24 a and a discharge line 24 b that areconnected to a single gas feed line 25 a in the region of the sampleholder 21 b. According to FIG. 4, the feed line 24 a and the dischargeline 24 b each are separately connected to a switch 26. A feed valve 35is arranged in the feed line 24 a and a Venturi nozzle 36 is arranged inthe discharge line 24 b according to FIG. 4. An opening 37 is arrangedwithin the Venturi nozzle 36 in the exemplary embodiment according toFIG. 4 such that the discharge line 24 b comprises an opening 37 in theregion of the Venturi nozzle 36. In this context, the opening 37 is partof the Venturi nozzle 36 and is a particular design of the Venturinozzle 36.

The design of the other components of the sample holder 21 b shown inFIG. 4, for example the accommodation device 23, the hybrid unit 34, andthe contact block 22, correspond to the design of the componentsdescribed above with reference to the sample holder 21 a according toFIG. 3. Please refer to the explanations provided with reference to FIG.3 and apply these accordingly to the explanations provided withreference to FIG. 4.

FIG. 5 shows another alternative embodiment of a sample holder 21 c,wherein identical components are provided with the same referencenumbers and new components are provided with new reference numbers.

The sample holder 21 c shown in FIG. 5 is described in the following inappropriate manner, such that changes as compared to the sample holder21 a described in FIG. 3 are described first. The sample holder 21 cshown in FIG. 5 comprises no gas filter 32 b and no gas filter 32 a inthe form of an intermediate filter. Moreover, the sample holder 21 ccomprises no gas exit opening 33. Moreover, the sample holder 21 c shownin FIG. 5 comprises no connections in the form of a switching cableconnection 27 b, a gas connection 25 b, and a signal cable connection 29b. Namely, the sample holder 21 c shown in FIG. 5 only comprises asignal cable 29 a exiting from the sample holder 21 c, a switching cable27 a, and a gas feed line 25 a, which each are guided out of the sampleholder 21 c in the region of the accommodation device 23. These extend,for example, directly into the adjacent lance. However, it is feasiblethat these can be connected outside of the sample holder 21 c, forexample inside the lance, to other cables or lines by a plug connectoror the like (not shown here).

Moreover, a vacuum chamber 38 is arranged inside the sample holder 21 c.The volume of the vacuum chamber 38 in the present exemplary embodimentis approx. 0.3 1 . The vacuum chamber 38 is formed in the sample holder21 c in that a part, which is arranged in the sample holder 21 c, of thedischarge line 24 b that is connected to the switch 26 has a largerdiameter than the other parts of the discharge line 24 b. Accordingly,the vacuum chamber 38 is formed at the location of the larger diameter.In this context, the vacuum chamber 38 is connected to a gas suctionline 39 as a further line that is present, wherein the gas suction line39 is connected to a vacuum pump (not shown here).

The other components of the sample holder 21 a described in FIG. 3 arealso present in the sample holder 21 c and are not described againaccording to explanations provided above. These can be appliedaccordingly.

The sample holders 21 a, 21 b, 21 c described in FIGS. 3 to 5 can beused, for example, in a device for implementing sampling processes inmolten metals using a lance, in particular in molten steels using asub-lance. A device of this type and a corresponding lance, inparticular a sub-lance, are not shown in FIGS. 3 to 5. However, it issufficiently well-known that a lance comprises a lance body that isarranged in a device of this type.

According to the invention, a sample holder 21 a, 21 b, 21 c accordingto any of the explanations with regard to FIGS. 3 to 5 can be connectedto one end of the lance body and a sampler 1 according to FIG. 1, inparticular for use in molten steel, can be connected to it. In thepresent exemplary embodiment, the device comprises, by the correspondingsample holder 21 a, 21 b, 21 c according to FIGS. 3 to 5, a feed line 24a for supplying gas via the contact block 22 into the sampler 1, and adischarge line 24 b for drawing off gas via the contact block 22 fromthe sampler 1, and a gas line 24 c that is connected to the samplechamber 2.

The sample holder 21 a, 21 b, 21 c used in the device not shown in FIGS.1 to 5, has a length L measured in axial direction from the contactblock 22 to the opposite side of the sample holder 21 a, 21 b, 21 c. Theswitch 26 in the corresponding sample holder 21 a, 21 b, 21 c istherefore arranged at a distance of 0.1× its length L from the end ofthe contact block 22 in the present exemplary embodiment.

According to the explanations provided above referring to FIGS. 3 to 5,the sampler 1 and the sample holder 21 a, 21 b, 21 c can be connected bya carrier tube 19 made of cardboard, wherein the carrier tube 19, whichtouches against the sampler 1 in the region of the seal 30 on thecontact block 22, is not shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 according to explanationsprovided above.

The method for removing a sample 3, formed from a molten steel 4, from asampler 1 according to FIG. 1 is described as in the following as aparticularly preferred embodiment using a sample holder 21 a accordingto FIG. 3 and a sampler 1 according to FIG. 1.

For this purpose, a sub-lance (not shown in FIG. 3) is connected to thesample holder 21 a, wherein the connection is situated in the region ofthe accommodation device 23. The corresponding signal cable connection29 b, the switching cable connection 27 b, and the gas connection 25 bare each connected to corresponding connectors within the sub-lance. Thesampler 1 according to FIG. 1 is positioned in the region of the contactblock 22 of the sample holder 21 a, wherein the gas socket 31 isarranged in the connector 9 of the sampler 1 in appropriate manner, suchthat a gas-tight connection between sample holder 21 a and sampler 1 isgenerated. A carrier tube 19 made of cardboard is positioned betweensampler 1 and accommodation device 23 of the sample holder 21 a as partof the sample holder 21 a, such that the sample holder 21 a is situatedbetween sampler 1 and the end of the carrier tube 19. The carrier tube19 is firmly connected to the accommodation device 23, for example by anengagement connection of the type of a thread, wherein the accommodationdevice 23 then is pressed firmly into the carrier tube 19 by acorrugated surface.

The sampler 1 situated inside the device is then immersed into a moltensteel indicated in FIG. 1, wherein the inert gas is supplied, beforeimmersion, by the feed line 24 a, which is supplied with a flowing inertgas by the gas feed line 25 a, which was supplied earlier by thesub-lance. The inert gas supplied by the feed line 24 a is thenconducted through the switch 26, which is in position A, and thus intothe gas line 24 c, wherein the hybrid unit 34 also is situated in theregion of the gas line 24 c according to explanations provided above.When the inert gas flows through the gas socket 31 into the sampleraccording to the explanations provided referring to FIG. 1, the gasultimately only enters into the filling tube 5 at first. After immersionof at least the sampler 1 into the molten steel 4 and melting of theprotective cap 14 and cover 13 according to the explanations providedreferring to FIG. 1, gas exits from the filling tube 5 when the sampler1 is situated in the molten steel 4. Concurrently, the signal cable 29,which also is routed through the hybrid unit 34 into the thermocouple 12of the sampler 1, is used to measure and analyze the temperature of themolten steel and the position of the sampler 1 in the molten steel,wherein the analysis is done using an external unit (not shown here)that analyzes the data transferred by the sample holder 21 a andsub-lance (not shown here) by the signal cable 29.

After the sampler 1 reaches the appropriate position in the molten steel4, the supply of gas through the feed line 24 a is interrupted accordingto explanations provided above by switching switch 26 into position B.This interrupts the supply of gas through the feed line 24 a. In thepresent exemplary embodiment, the switch 26 in the sample holder 21 a isswitched appropriately, such that the sample chamber 2 of the samplerthen fills with molten steel 4. Then the sampler 1 and the carrier tube19 and the sample holder 21 a are removed again from the molten steelusing the mobile sub-lance in the device after the sample chamber 2 hascompletely filled-up with molten material. For cooling of the sampler 1and sample chamber 2, the switch 26 is then switched or switched backfrom position B to position C, which corresponds to position A in theexemplary embodiment according to FIG. 3. This allows the sample chamber2 to be cooled by the supplied gas. The cooling process is described indetail in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1. The switch 26 is switchedby the switching cable 27 a by which the switch 26 can be switched.

Switching the switch 26 from position A to position B, gas exits throughthe sampler 1 into the sample holder 21 a, whereby the gas then flowsthrough the gas line 24 c and the hybrid unit 34, then through the gasfilter 32 b and is finally conducted through the switch 26. With theswitch being in position B, the gas then flows out through theadditional gas filter 32 a in the form of an intermediate filter andthrough the discharge line 24 b through the gas exit opening 39. Due tothe exiting of the gas, the sample chamber 2 can fill-up with moltenmaterial. This is described in detail in the exemplary embodiment ofFIG. 1. No vacuum or negative pressure according to the previousembodiments is generated in this context. Accordingly, at least theamount of gas that is present in the sample chamber 2 and the fillingpart 5 exits from the gas exit opening 39.

The switch 26 is switched from position A to position B when atemperature of, for example 1100° C. is measured by the thermocouple 12.Alternatively or in addition, the lance position can be measured byelectrical means or by the pressure in the molten steel using theposition of the sampler 1.

The process of sampling from a molten steel 4 described above can alsobe implemented by a sample holder 21 b according to FIG. 4.

According to the embodiment of FIG. 3 according to explanations providedabove, the sample holder 21 a is replaced by the sample holder 21 b in afurther embodiment. In the following, the flow of the gas through thesample holder 21 b is described with a focus on the differences ascompared to the previous embodiment with sample holder 21 a.

Once the connectors according to FIG. 4 fitting the sub-lance or thesampler according to FIG. 1 have been connected, the inert gas flowsthrough the gas feed line 24 d into the feed line 24 a and the dischargeline 24 b. The gas flowing through gas feed line 25 a then flows, on theone hand, through the feed valve 35 into the switch 26 which is inposition A. The gas flowing in can therefore flow through the switch 26and the gas filter 32 b through the hybrid unit 34 into the sampler 1.On the other hand, gas supplied from gas feed line 25 a flows throughthe discharge line 24 b through the Venturi nozzle 36 concurrently, suchthat a negative pressure is generated between Venturi nozzle 36 andswitch 26 due to the special embodiment of the Venturi nozzle 36. Thegas supplied by the discharge line 24 b is made to exit out of opening37 in this context.

In order to fill the sample chamber 2, the switch 26 is switched fromposition A to position B, such that the gas flowing through the feedline 24 a can no longer flow into the gas feed line 24 c due to theswitch being in position B. Only the gas flowing through the gas feedline 25 a can exit through the discharge line 24 b and the Venturinozzle 36 through the opening 37, wherein a negative pressure continuesto be generated between Venturi nozzle 36 and switch 26 and istransferred to gas line 24 c. As a result, a negative pressure isgenerated in the sample chamber 2 and is used to aspirate moltenmaterial into the sample chamber 2 by the Venturi nozzle 36. After thesample chamber 2 is filled with molten material, the switch 26 isswitched back into position A, such that the sample chamber 2 can becooled by the gas supplied through feed line 24 a.

The removal of the sample chamber and/or sampler 1 from the moltenmaterial has been described in detail above.

The sampling from a molten steel 4 by a sample holder 21 a describedabove can also be implemented by a sample holder 21 c according to FIG.5. In the following, just the sample holder 21 c in a special embodimentsituated between sampler 1 and sub-lance in the device is described indetail with changes or other technical implementations being emphasizedin detail.

According to FIG. 5, an inert gas flows through the feed line out of thesub-lance through the switch 26 and into the gas line 24 c into thesampler 1 according to FIG. 1. In order to fill the sample chamber 2,the switch 26 is switched from position A to position B, such that theinert gas, which previously was guided through the feed line 24exclusively, is blocked due to the switch 26 having been switched toposition B. Accordingly, gas can flow through the gas line 24 c throughthe switch 26 into the vacuum chamber 38, in which a negative pressurehas been generated. The negative pressure in the vacuum chamber 38 wasgenerated earlier, for example, via the gas suction line 39 and by avacuum pump. Accordingly, the molten material 4 is aspirated into thesample chamber 2 by the negative pressure from the vacuum chamber 38once the switch 26 is switched from position A to position B. Forcooling, the switch 26 is switched back into position A such that inertgas can flow again through the feed line 24 a and then through the gasline 24 c into the sampler 1, such that the sample chamber 2 is cooled.

The immersion of the corresponding devices, in particular with referenceto the sample holder 21 b and 21 c, has been described in detail forsample holder 21 a and is applicable accordingly to the sample holdersaccording to 21 b, 21 c. Moreover, the process of pulling the sampler 1according to FIG. 1 out of the molten material 4 has been described indetail, such that this can also be applied to the sample holders 21 band 21 c.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could bemade to the embodiments described above without departing from the broadinventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that thisinvention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but itis intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of thepresent invention as defined by the appended claims.

We claim:
 1. A sample holder for accommodating a sampler comprising: acontact part for accommodating the sampler, the sampler comprising: asample chamber for a sample formed from a molten material; at least onelower cooling body; at least one upper cooling body; at least one innercooling body, the sample chamber being surrounded jointly at least bythe at least one lower cooling body and the at least one inner coolingbody, such that at least the sample chamber can be cooled by at leastthe lower and inner cooling bodies: and at least one filling part,connected to the sample chamber and merging into the sample chamber by afilling opening, wherein each of the at least one lower cooling body,the at least one upper cooling body and the at least one inner coolingbody comprises an outer surface, and wherein the sampler comprises,between a region of the outer surface of the at least one inner coolingbody and a region of the outer surface of the at least one upper coolingbody opposite to the outer surface of the at least one inner coolingbody, at least one gap for conducting at least one gas, a volume of therespective cooling bodies being larger than a volume of the at least onegap; and at least one feed line for supplying gas via the contact partinto the sampler; at least one discharge line for drawing off gas viathe contact part from the sampler; and at least one gas line thatextends through the contact part and is connected to the sample chamberarranged in the sample holder, wherein the sampler has a switchconnected to the at least one feed line and the at least one dischargeline, on the one side, and to the at least one gas line on the otherside, and wherein the switch connects either the at least one feed lineor the at least one discharge line to the at least one gas line.
 2. Thesample holder according to claim 1, further comprising at least one gasexit opening, wherein the at least one discharge line ends in the gasexit opening.
 3. The sample holder according to claim 2, furthercomprising at least one intermediate filter in the at least onedischarge line between the switch and the gas exit opening.
 4. Thesample holder according to claim 1, wherein the at least one feed linecomprises at least one feed valve or wherein the at least one dischargeline comprises at least one Venturi nozzle.
 5. The sample holderaccording to claim 1, wherein a part of the at least one discharge lineconnected to the switch arranged in the sample holder has a largerdiameter than other parts of the at least one discharge line, forming atleast one vacuum chamber that comprises at least one gas suction linefor connection to at least one vacuum pump.
 6. The sample holderaccording to claim 1, wherein a part of the at least one discharge lineconnected to the switch arranged in the sample holder merges into ahollow internal space of the sample holder, and wherein the internalspace comprises a gas-tight wall having at least one gas suction linefor connection to at least one vacuum pump.
 7. The sample holderaccording to claim 5, wherein the at least one vacuum chamber has avolume between approximately 0.1 liter and approximately 0.5 liter. 8.The sample holder according to claim 1, wherein at least one gas filteris arranged between the at least one gas line connected to the samplechamber and the switch.
 9. The sample holder according to claim 1,wherein the sample holder comprises at least one hybrid contact part asthe contact part and the sampler comprises at least one hybridconnector.
 10. A device for implementing sampling processes in moltenmetals comprising: a lance having a lance body; and a sample holderaccording to claim 1 connected to one end of the lance body.
 11. Thedevice according to claim 10, wherein the sample holder has a length (L)measured in an axial direction from an end of the contact part to anopposite side of the sample holder, and wherein the switch is arrangedat a distance of at most 0.3 ×length (L) from the end of the contactpart.
 12. A method for sampling from a molten material having a meltingtemperature of more than 600° C., the method comprising: positioning asampler at one end of a lance or at one end of a carrier part;positioning a sample holder according to claim 1 between the sampler andthe lance or between the sampler and the carrier part; immersing thesampler into the molten material, such that the sample chamber (2) ofthe sampler is filled with the molten material to form a sample in thesample chamber; and removing the sample from the molten material by thesampler, wherein, before immersing the sampler, at least one gas issupplied into the sampler through the at least one feed line and the atleast one gas line and the at least one gas flows out again from thesampler through the at least one filling part, wherein, after thesampler is immersed into the molten material, the supply of gas ischanged by switching the switch in the sample holder from a position Ato a position B, followed by the sample chamber being filled with themolten material, wherein gas is supplied into the sampler again duringor after the sample chamber is filled with the molten material byswitching the switch from the position B to a position C, and wherein atleast the sample chamber is cooled by the supplied gas.
 13. The methodaccording to claim 12, wherein, with the switch being in the position B,at least an amount of gas present at least in the sample chamber and theat least one filling part flows by way of the sample holder in adirection of the sample holder due to the supply of gas in the at leastone feed line being interrupted by the switch.
 14. The method accordingto claim 12, wherein, with the switch being in the position B, at leastan amount of gas present at least in the sample chamber and the at leastone filling part flows by way of the sample holder in a direction of thesample holder due to the gas already supplied being reversed indirection by a Venturi nozzle, such that the supplied gas is drawn off.15. The method according to claim 12, wherein, with the switch being inthe position B, at least an amount of gas present at least in the samplechamber and the at least one filling part flows by way of the sampleholder in a direction of the sample holder by the gas already suppliedbeing reversed in direction by a negative pressure in a vacuum chamber,such that the supplied gas is drawn off.